Richmond Bright

Richmond Bright Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Elaine Price, Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection dates: 11 and 12 December 2024

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 9 Mersey Reach Galgate Drive Bootle Liverpool L30 6AD Monitoring visit: Richmond Bright Limited, 11 and 12 December 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Richmond Bright Limited (RBL) is a small independent learning provider based in Bootle, Liverpool. RBL was established in December 2020 as a commercial training company. In May 2024, RBL received funding to deliver Skills Bootcamps in scaffolding for the construction sector.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there were fewer than five learners enrolled on the construction industry scaffolders record scheme.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have used their industry experience and expertise to select a curriculum that addresses the national skills shortage of qualified scaffolders in the construction sector. The Skills Bootcamp programme enables those already working in the industry as scaffold labourers to progress and gain the first step towards qualified status.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have invested significantly in resourcing the training they deliver. They have recruited industry-experienced instructors who have undergone the training and qualifications required to be able to deliver certified scaffolding programmes. Leaders have equipped the purposely adapted training centre with high-quality industry- standard equipment. This ensures that learners are well prepared and gain the skills they need to work competently and safely in the industry as scaffolders.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place appropriate quality assurance processes to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the training they deliver. For example, they routinely carry out observations of teaching, learning and assessment and learner surveys. The self-assessment report has accurately identified the need to put in place formalised systems and processes, for example tracking and monitoring learners’ progress so they can intervene quickly if learners fall behind. Leaders have also Monitoring visit: Richmond Bright Limited, 11 and 12 December 2024 accurately identified the need to identify learners’ starting points at the start of the programme so they can build on what learners already know and can do.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders support instructors with continuous professional development to maintain and update their industry qualifications. This enables instructors to remain registered to be able to deliver accredited scaffolding programmes. However, leaders do not provide frequent ongoing continuous professional development to further develop instructors’ teaching skills.

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Reasonable progress

As a result of their training, learners develop the knowledge and skills to be able to progress in their careers. At the time of the monitoring visit, all learners have achieved their qualifications and have progressed within their employment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and instructors carefully plan the programme to ensure learners gain the required knowledge and skills that prepares them well for working as a scaffolding trainee. The programme is logically sequenced, starting with the essential understanding of health and safety. Learners study health and safety legislation, risk assessments and fall prevention techniques before moving on to practical activities such as the correct procedure for the erection and dismantling of scaffolding. This ensures that learners can operate safely and competently.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors use their knowledge and expertise well in practical lessons. They instruct learners how to correctly fit braces and handrails when erecting scaffolding. Learners demonstrate and recall prior knowledge when completing tasks, for example when using techniques for cross braces with different mediums such as steel and aluminium. Learners value their instructors’ knowledge and the experience they bring to the practical sessions.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors do not always use a variety of teaching and learning activities in the classroom to ensure all learners are fully engaged during theory sessions. There is an overreliance on the use of presentation slides. Instructors do not provide learners with developmental feedback on their written knowledge assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Learners develop their mathematical and English skills throughout the course. Instructors teach learners techniques for levelling scaffolding, based on Pythagoras theory and weight distribution on scaffold boards. Learners develop their knowledge and the technical language of the industry through practice. They describe aspects of scaffolding using the correct terminology such as putlog and birdcage scaffolds.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors prepare learners well for their next steps. Learners are provided with careers information and guidance throughout their programme. Learners confidently Monitoring visit: Richmond Bright Limited, 11 and 12 December 2024 discuss how the training will help them in their career progression in the scaffolding industry.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have created a positive culture of safeguarding. They place a high priority on the safety and well-being of learners. Leaders have put in place appropriate policies and procedures to ensure that staff understand how to safeguard learners.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders carry out appropriate pre-employment checks on the staff they recruit. All staff receive safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty training to ensure they know how to keep learners safe.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors teach learners how to keep themselves safe. Learners develop a deep understanding of the health and safety risks as scaffolders working in the construction sector.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe and know how to raise concerns. Monitoring visit: Richmond Bright Limited, 11 and 12 December 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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